Torpedo.



EDWARD OTOOLE, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

TORPEDO.

SpecificationIoflLettersiPatent.

Patented J'an. 12, 1909.

Application filed July 7, 1908. Serial No. 442,293.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD OTooLE, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at 29 Lower Belgrave street, Eaton Square, London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Connected with Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to torpedoes and more particularly to torpedoes which are propelled by motors requiring air either wholly or partly for the power medium.

In some torpedoes of this type such as for instance the W hitehead or the Bliss-Leavitt the range is limited by the volume of air under pressure carried by the torpedo, although attempts have recently been made to increase this range by raising the temperature of the compressed air before use by means of the combustion of petrol or the like, but even in these cases the range and power of the torpedo is always limited to the capacity of the compressed air reservoir that it contains.

The object of my invention is to increase the range of operation and also power and effectiveness of the torpedo.

My invention consists in supplying the air to the motor from the atmosphere through a pipe adapted to project above the surface of the water, the pipe being either rigid or flexible and connected to a float.

The invention also consists in arranging the exhaust pipe of the motor to project above the surface of the water.

By means of this invention the above mentioned objections and defects pertaining to the existing forms of torpedo are overcome inasmuch as the air supply is unlimited and consequently the range, explosives-capacity, speed and the like can be of any desired value. Thus for example the torpedo may carry 15 cwt. or more of explosive and have a speed of or 60 knots per hour. The range may be as much as 10,000 yards, but might be increased to as much as 20,000 yards or even more.

In carrying out the invention according to one mode the torpedo is propelled by an internal combustion engine supplied with air through a pipe or conduit which projects above the surface of the water.

The fuel used is preferably paraffin, but any kind of liquid or other fuel may be employed. The fuel is supplied to the engine by any known or suitable method and any suitable device may be employed for lubrication, cooling, ignition etc.

In the accompanying drawing the torpedo is illustrated diagrammatically in sectional elevation.

In the example illustrated 1, is the head containing the explosive charge, any known form and manner of exploding being employed. 2, is the hydrostatic and depth regulating chamber similarly of any known and suitable form and manner of operation.

3, is the propelling engine of the torpedo, a reciprocating engine being shown by way of example the power, size and number of cylinders etc. being varied to suit the range and capacity of the torpedo required. Obviously a rotary engine turbine or any other suitable type of motor requiring air wholly or in part as the propelling medium may be employed.

4, is the air intake pipe or conduit which may be placed in any convenient position and may be of any suitable dimensions, the top of the pipe as shown is preferably curved rearwardly to prevent water entering with the air, or any known or suitable form of head may be employed to prevent the water entering.

5, is the exhaust pipe of somewhat similar form and arrangement as the air inlet pipe. Instead of being independently mounted as indicated in full lines it may be arranged within the air inlet pipe as indicated by dotted lines at 5. The exhaust, however, may occur under water in which case any known means may be employed to prevent the water entering.

A. pump 6, driven by the engine 3, is preferably provided to expel any water which may find its way into the torpedo, for instance through the air pipe 4. The pump may be of any suitable type but is preferably of the reciprocating force type.

A fan 7 may be employed to aid the flow of air through the intake 4. By the construction shown a constant supply of air for the engine is obtained without recourse to stored compressed air.

8, represents the fuel supply reservoir from which the fuel is supplied to the engine by any suitable means. 7

9, indicates a propeller shaft, any suitable number-of pro ell'e'r's 10 may be-ii'tted upon in some cases more than one The air intake p1pe may, when so desired, 7 be mounted in other than a rigid manner for l convenience of transport or any otherpurpose. Instead of being in 'the 'fori n of a rigid pipe or conduit, the air intake may be flexible pipe having its upper end connected to a float fitted "with any suitable device for "pre- "venting ingress of water.

Any known or suitable means may be eniployed todischarge the torpedo and start the engine.

Other parts of the torpedo such as'the-submersion regulator, exploding detonator, can be of any 'known or'suitable type.

Having thus'described my invention What I claim as 'neW-and'desire to'secure by Letters "Patent is pipe communicating With sai A -self-destruct'ib1e torpedo comprising a submerged body, a propeller therefor, an

engine arranged Within the body and operatively connected With the pro eller, an air engine and projecting continually beyond the Water level with its upper end extending toward the rear of the body to prevent Water from entering 'therethro'ugh during the passage of the torpedo through the Water, a fan driven by said engine to suck air into the body for said engine, an exhaust pipe leading from said engine, 'a "brace arranged between the exhaust andair pipes and a stationary guiding'vane connedted tothe body.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses. v v 7 v EDWARD '0 "POOLE. Witnesses A. W. MATHYS, B. H. MATTHEWS. 

